Now as soon as they were come before the walls, they pitched their
camp, and sent messengers to Hezekiah, and desired that they might speak
with him; but he did not himself come out to them for fear, but he sent
three of his most intimate friends; the name of one was Eliakim, who was
over the kingdom, and Shebna, and Joah the recorder. So these men came
out, and stood over against the commanders of the Assyrian army; and when
Rabshakeh saw them, he bid them go and speak to Hezekiah in the manner
following: That Sennacherib, the great king, This title of great king, both in our Bibles, 2 Kings 18:19; Isaiah 36:4,
and here in Josephus, is the very same that Herodotus gives this Sennacherib,
as Spanheim takes notice on this place.
desires to know of him, on whom it is that he relies and depends, in flying
from his lord, and will not hear him, nor admit his army into the city?
Is it on account of the Egyptians, and in hopes that his army would be
beaten by them? Whereupon he lets him know, that if this be what he expects,
he is a foolish man, and like one who leans on a broken reed; while such
a one will not only fall down, but will have his hand pierced and hurt
by it. That he ought to know he makes this expedition against him by the
will of God, who hath granted this favor to him, that he shall overthrow
the kingdom of Israel, and that in the very same manner he shall destroy
those that are his subjects also. When Rabshakeh had made this speech in
the Hebrew tongue, for he was skillful in that language, Eliakim was afraid
lest the multitude that heard him should be disturbed; so he desired him
to speak in the Syrian tongue. But the general, understanding what he meant,
and perceiving the fear that he was in, he made his answer with a greater
and a louder voice, but in the Hebrew tongue; and said, that "since
they all heard what were the king's commands, they would consult their
own advantage in delivering up themselves to us; for it is plain the both
you and your king dissuade the people from submitting by vain hopes, and
so induce them to resist; but if you be courageous, and think to drive
our forces away, I am ready to deliver to you two thousand of these horses
that are with me for your use, if you can set as many horsemen on their
backs, and show your strength; but what you have not you cannot produce.
Why therefore do you delay to deliver up yourselves to a superior force,
who can take you without your consent? although it will be safer for you
to deliver yourselves up voluntarily, while a forcible capture, when you
are beaten, must appear more dangerous, and will bring further calamities
upon you."